Filial Play

Parents can play an essential role in supporting their children through the emotional and behavioural problems of childhood. It is not ethical for parents to become their child's "therapist" but is helpful for them to use child-centred, non-directive play as part of their parenting skills.

Filial Play involves coaching parents (or other carers) to build a relationship with their children using non-directive play and simple materials and objects.

Filial play is a relatively recent application that uses play to help infants under the age of 3 as well as children up to the age of 14, in their mental and emotional development which for some reason, such as attachment issues, may be impaired. It is also designed to improve parent/child relationships.